The Jets' Tim Tebow before the Nov. 11 game against the Seahawks. / Elaine Thompson, AP

by Kevin Manahan, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Manahan, USA TODAY Sports

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- If you thought Tim Tebow's passing game was the only thing that regressed this season, think again. According to the New York Jets, Tebow's healing powers apparently are going backward, too.

A week after coach Rex Ryan said Tebow "absolutely" could have played with two broken ribs, Ryan now says the Jets are "looking into" Tebow's availability, and he could be inactive for the team's game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals because of the injury.

Ryan said Friday the team has not made a final decision to sit Tebow, and Ryan added the team would "monitor the situation."

Friday, Tebow said he felt as if he were "getting a little bit better every day."

Without Tebow, the Jets probably would lose the Wildcat option to their offense, though that has been ridiculed for its ineffectiveness, and they would not have the NFL's most popular punt protector, either.

Tebow was injured at the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 11, played three offensive snaps the following week at the St. Louis Rams and was active but didn't play last Thursday against the New England Patriots.

In a season that already has been marked by a circus atmosphere, butt-causing fumbles, locker-room sniping between players and attacks on Jets fans' loyalty, Ryan last week admitted he didn't learn of Tebow's broken ribs until 10 days after the injury.

If Tebow is inactive, Greg McElroy would be the backup to Mark Sanchez. Tebow said he didn't do much during practice all week and throwing still bothers his ribs. Ryan was criticized last week for keeping Tebow active rather than McElroy.